Cinema Sentries

Book Review: The Nice Guys: The Official Movie Novelization by Charles Ardai

Enjoyable adaptation of the crime comedy that gives readers a new slant on the movie.

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T-Rex Movie Review: A Teenage Gold Medalist is Still a Teenager

T-Rex thrives in its moments of tranquility, which eerily and excitingly juxtapose the moments of explicit competition and internationally sanctioned brutality.

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Survivor (2015) Blu-ray Review: A Little Action, A Lot of Filler

This movie should have been Brosnan and Jovovich running around trying to kill each other.

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LAFF 2016 Review: Dr. Feelgood

Opioid addiction and one doctor’s questionable practices are brought to light.

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Warcraft Movie Review: It’s for Those Who Grew Up Playing the Game

It’s also for the moms and dads who want to watch their children enjoy this bit of fantasy come to life.

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Time to Choose Movie Review: The Truth is Still Inconvenient, and More Important

A new generation is set to inherit our mistakes, but we still have a choice…

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The Damned: Don’t You Wish That We Were Dead Movie Review: Behind the Punk Music

This movie should have more rocking and less talking.

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LAFF 2016 Review: Free CeCe!

A dark examination of violence and imprisonment against trans women of color.

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The Fits Movie Review: Confidence and Dance Are a Fitful Combo

Director Anna Rose Holmer crafts a coming-of-age film on par with The Witch.

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Me Before You Movie Review: A Melodramatic Romance and Questionable Portrayal of Disability

Jojo Moyes’ novel gives audiences a generic portrait of disability couched in a formulaic melodrama.

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Rainbow: Monsters of Rock – Live at Donington 1980 DVD/CD Review

Oft-bootlegged festival footage finally gets an official release.

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Kristen’s Book Club for June 2016

What’s worth reading in June?

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Hired to Kill Blu-ray Review: The A-Team’s Project Runway

An awesome action movie premise suffers from lack of any real interesting characters.

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Money Monster Movie Review: More Like Mediocre Monster

Jodie Foster’s latest turn as director is too little, too late.

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Rifftrax Live: Time Chasers Review: The Weakest Rifftrax is Still Fun!

This ’90s cheese fest could only be elevated by our Rifftrax trio.

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The Stuff Blu-ray Review: Once Is More Than Enough

A creature feature that would work much better today than it would back in 1985.

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Emelie Blu-ray Review: Strong Performances Elevate Generic Horror

From the Tudors to terror, actress Sarah Bolger shines as an unhinged babysitter.

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Kristen’s Book Club for May 2016

What’s worth reading in the month of May?

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The Gory Goodness of Arrow Video in May

The grue is ramped up to 11 with Arrow’s latest output.

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Pretty Little Liars: The Complete Sixth Season DVD Review: Still the Same After Five Years Forward?

Allison asked the Liars to come home and give statements that would attest to the okay-ness of Charlotte being released. Yeah, right.

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MSPIFF 2016 Review: Alena

A stylish thriller that combines both Let The Right One In and Carrie.

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The Huntsman: Winter’s War Movie Review: Winter Turns Around in Embarrassment

This unnecessary prequel/sequel piles on opulence in lieu of interest.

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Southwest of Salem: The Story of the San Antonio Four Movie Review: Texas’ Modern-day Witch Hunt

A documentary that both fascinates and infuriates audiences to action.

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The Lady in the Van Blu-ray Review: Impound This Vehicle

Maggie Smith as a one-note character is the only good thing in this very droll comedy.

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MSPIFF 2016 Review: Here Comes the Videofreex

A very interesting portrait of a group that made an impact in our lives but have never been recognized for it until now.

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The Jungle Book (2016) Movie Review: A Loving Spin on an Old Tale

Jon Favreau recreates The Jungle Book lusher and grander than ever before.

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MSPIFF 2016 Review: Norman Lear: Just Another Version of You

The creator of television’s greatest hits is the focus in this great documentary.

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Memories of a Penitent Heart Movie Review: Memories of a Fragmented Heart

Desires and religion clash in this absorbing familial documentary.

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The Invitation Movie Review: An Invitation You Won’t Pass Up

Karyn Kusama creates a slow-burn with a stellar cast.

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Born to Be Blue Movie Review: Many Shades of Blue

Ethan Hawke sizzles in unconventional Chet Baker biopic.

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Kristen’s Book Club: April 2016

What’s worth reading for April?

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Rage of Honor Blu-ray Review: Sho and Kill

An enjoyable, albeit very predictable, martial arts action movie.

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They’re Watching Movie Review: Scary Monsters and Scarier Moldovans

In They’re Watching, comedy meets horror, but you have to wait about an hour.

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The Hateful Eight DVD Review: Definitely Hateful, For Better or Worse

The Hateful Eight is a pretty good film, but “pretty good” is well below Tarantino’s usual standards.

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Tokyo ESP: The Complete Series Blu-ray Review:  Battle of The Minds

Psychics battle each other in this anime series where the villains are just as compelling as its heroes.

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Silicon Cowboys Movie Review: A Compact Documentary About Compaq

The lively tale of the computer cowboys who changed personal computing.

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Ryan Hurst and Kyle Gallner Discuss Their Characters from WGN’s Outsiders

“L’il Foster is very sensitive and incredibly loyal to his family.” – Ryan Hurst

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Hangman (2015) Blu-ray Review: Watching Home Movies

A cry baby stalks the blandest family in this found-footage feature.

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Turn It Up! Movie Review: A Celebration of the Electric Guitar

A history of the electric guitar and the people who love them.

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The Intruders (2015) DVD Review: This Generation’s Wait Until Dark

If you think this is going to be just another home-invasion story, please come on in.

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Clouds of Sils Maria Movie Review: Heartache and Laughter in the Swiss Alps

Clouds of Sils Maria’s currency is poignance, and in that sense it is infinitely wealthy.

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Zootopia Movie Review: Disney Goes Political, With Bunnies!

Disney’s latest is a mixed bag of political inquiry and film noir.

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Kristen’s Book Club: March 2016

What’s worth reading this month.

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The Martian Movie Review: Lost in Space

Director Ridley Scott and writer Drew Goddard show us a crowd pleasing blockbuster.

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The Art of Mad Max: Fury Road by Abbie Bernstein: Pretty Pictures! Good Words!

An exciting glimpse into the making of one of the most exciting films of the year.

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Heaven Knows What Movie Review: Step into the Shoes of a Former Heroin Addict

Arielle Holmes gives a frightening and cathartic performance based on her personal memoirs.

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The Leftovers: The Complete Second Season Blu-ray Review: Let the Mystery Be

“Miracle” boasts a “population of 9,261 – 0 Departures.” It is this special spot that beckons Kevin Garvey and family to leave Mapleton, NY.

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Howard the Duck Movie Review: It’s Not as Bad as You Think

A look back at one of Marvel Comics’ first big-screen adaptations.

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Book Review The Art of Mad Max: Fury Road by Abbie Bernstein

Every bit as vivid, eye-popping, and gut-punching as the film, but slowed down enough that it can sit on your coffee table.

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